Method and apparatus to optimize power to maximize performance of wireless mesh sensors and control networks

ABSTRACT

An automation component configured for optimized wireless communication within a building automation system is disclosed. The automation component includes a wireless communications component, a processor in communication with the wireless communications component, a memory in communication with the processor, the memory configured to store computer readable instructions which are executable by the processor. The computer readable instructions being programmed to process at least one communication variable received via the wireless communications component; to optimize a communication or radio transmit power level associated with the wireless communication component, wherein the optimized communication power level is a function of the at least one communication variable; and an adjustment of the communication power level associated with the wireless communication component based on the optimized communication power level.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/032,409, filed on Feb. 15, 2008, which claims the prioritybenefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. provisional patent applicationSer. No. 60/901,998 (2007P03525US), filed on Feb. 16, 2007; and U.S.provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/906,003 (2007P05063US), filedon Mar. 8, 2007, the contents of which are hereby incorporated byreference for all purposes.

This patent relates to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/590,157 (2006P18573 US), filed on Oct. 31, 2006, and co-pending U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/915,034 (2004P13093 US), filed on Aug. 8,2004, the contents of these applications are hereby incorporated byreference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure generally relates to wireless device radiotransmit power optimization within a building automation system. Inparticular, the present disclosure relates to methods and apparatusesfor optimizing wireless device radio transmit power between automationcomponents within a building automation system to maximize performance.

A building automations system (BAS) typically integrates and controlselements and services within a structure such as the heating,ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, security services, firesystems and the like. The integrated and controlled systems are arrangedand organized into one or more field level networks (FLNs) containingapplication or process specific controllers, sensors, actuators, orother devices distributed or wired to form a network. The field levelnetworks provide general control for a particular floor or region of thestructure. For example, a field level network may be an RS-485compatible network that includes one or more controllers or applicationspecific controllers configured to control the elements or serviceswithin floor or region. The controllers may, in turn, be configured toreceive an input from a sensor or other device such as, for example, aroom temperature sensor (RTS) deployed to monitor the floor or region.The input, reading or signal provided to the controller, in thisexample, may be a temperature indication representative of the physicaltemperature. The temperature indication can be utilized by a processcontrol routine such as a proportional-integral control routine executedby the controller to drive or adjust a damper, heating element, coolingelement or other actuator towards a predefined set-point.

Information such as the temperature indication, sensor readings and/oractuator positions provided to one or more controllers operating withina given field level network may, in turn, be communicated to anautomation level network (ALN) or building level network (BLN)configured to, for example, execute control applications, routines orloops, coordinate time-based activity schedules, monitor priority basedoverrides or alarms and provide field level information to technicians.Building level networks and the included field level networks may, inturn, be integrated into an optional management level network (MLN) thatprovides a system for distributed access and processing to allow forremote supervision, remote control, statistical analysis and otherhigher level functionality. Examples and additional information relatedto BAS configuration and organization may be found in the co-pendingU.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/590,157 (2006P18573 US), filed onOct. 31, 2006, and co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/915,034 (2004P13093 US), filed on Aug. 8, 2004, the contents of theseapplications are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

Wireless devices, such as devices that comply with IEEE 802.15.4/ZigBeeprotocols, may be implemented within the control scheme of a buildingautomation system without incurring additional wiring or installationcosts. ZigBee-compliant devices such as full function devices (FFD) andreduced function devices (RFD) may be interconnected to provide a devicenet or mesh within the building automation system. For example, fullfunction devices are designed with the processing power necessary toestablish peer-to-peer connections with other full function devicesand/or execute control routines specific to a floor or region of a fieldlevel network. Each of the full function devices may, in turn,communicate with one or more of the reduced function devices in a huband spoke arrangement. Reduced function devices such as the temperaturesensor described above are designed with limited processing powernecessary to perform a specific task(s) and communicate informationdirectly to the connected full function device.

Each of the wireless devices or automation components utilized withinthe building automation system includes a radio transmitter which may beconfigured in order to optimize communications with the differentelements, components and networks that comprise the building automationsystem. For example, the radio transmit power levels of one or morewireless devices or automation components may be adjusted in order tooptimize communications between other wireless devices and automationcomponents within the building automation system. It would be desirableto optimize communications and radio transmit power levels betweenvarious wireless devices or automation components within the buildingautomation system.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure generally provides for adjusting and optimizingcommunications between wireless devices and/or automation componentsoperating within a building automation system (BAS). Wireless devicesand/or automation components may be configured to automatically provideor otherwise push communications from one device to another upondetection of a change-of-value or change in the state of a sensed ormonitored value, component and/or indicator.

In one exemplary embodiment, an automation component configured foroptimized wireless communication within a building automation system isdisclosed. The automation component includes a wireless communicationscomponent, a processor in communication with the wireless communicationscomponent, a memory in communication with the processor, the memoryconfigured to store computer readable instructions which are executableby the processor. The computer readable instructions being programmed toprocess at least one communication variable received via the wirelesscommunications component; optimize a communication power level such asthe radio transmit power associated with the wireless communicationcomponent, wherein the optimized communication power level is a functionof the at least one communication variable; and adjust the communicationpower level associated with the wireless communication component basedon the optimized communication power level.

In another exemplary embodiment, a building automation system configuredfor optimized wireless communication is disclosed. The buildingautomation system includes a first automation component having a firstwireless communication component. The first automation componentconfigured to process at least one communication variable, and optimizea communication power level such as a radio transmit power level,wherein the optimized communication power level is a function of the atleast one communication variable. The building automation system furtherincludes a second automation component having a second wirelesscommunication component, the second wireless communication component incommunication with the first wireless communication. The secondautomation component is configured to adjust the communication powerlevel associated with the second wireless communication component basedon the optimized communication power level.

In another exemplary embodiment, a method for optimizing a wirelesscommunication within a building automation system is disclosed. Themethod includes storing at least one communication variable in a memorysuch that the memory and the at least on communication variable are incommunication with a processor, processing at least one communicationvariables received via a wireless communications component, optimizing acommunication power level such as a radio transmit power levelassociated with the wireless communication component, wherein theoptimized communication power level is a function of the at least onecommunication variable, and adjusting the communication power levelassociated with the wireless communication component based on theoptimized communication power level.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention aredescribed in, and will be apparent from, the following DetailedDescription and the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The method, system and teaching provided relate to optimizecommunications between automation components operating within a buildingautomation system (BAS).

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a building automation systemconfigured in accordance with the disclosure provided herein;

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a wireless device or automationcomponent that may be utilized in connection with the buildingautomation system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary physical layout for a field levelnetwork including one or more automation components and/or subnets;

FIG. 4 illustrates another exemplary physical layout for a field levelnetwork including one or more automation components and/or subnetswherein the radio transmit powers are optimized;

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary flowchart representative of acommunications algorithm;

FIG. 6 illustrates another exemplary flowchart representative acommunications algorithm;

FIG. 7 illustrates another exemplary flowchart representative acommunications algorithm; and

FIG. 8 illustrates another exemplary flowchart representative acommunications algorithm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments discussed herein include automation components, wirelesscommunication components and/or transceivers. The devices may be IEEE802.15.4/ZigBee-compliant automation components such as: a personal areanetwork (PAN) coordinator which may be implemented as a field paneltransceiver (FPX); a full function device (FFD) implemented as a floorlevel device transceiver (FLNX); and a reduced function device (RFD)implemented as a wireless room temperature sensor (WRTS) that may beutilized in a building automation system (BAS). The devices identifiedherein are provided as an example of automation components, wirelessdevices and transceivers that may be integrated and utilized within abuilding automation system embodying the teachings disclosed herein andare not intended to limit the type, functionality and interoperabilityof the devices and teaching discussed and claimed herein. Moreover, thedisclosed building automation system describes automation componentsthat may include separate wireless communication components andtransceivers, however it will be understood that the wirelesscommunication component and transceiver may be integrated into a singleautomation component operable within the building automation system.

One exemplary building automation system that may include the devicesand be configured as described above is the APOGEE® system provided bySiemens Building Technologies, Inc. The APOGEE® system may implementRS-485 wired communications, Ethernet, proprietary and standardprotocols, as well as known wireless communications standards such as,for example, IEEE 802.15.4 wireless communications which are compliantwith the ZigBee standards and/or ZigBee certified wireless devices orautomation components. ZigBee standards, proprietary protocols or otherstandards are typically implemented in embedded applications that mayutilize low data rates and/or require low power consumption. Moreover,ZigBee standards and protocols are suitable for establishinginexpensive, self-organizing, mesh networks which may be suitable forindustrial control and sensing applications such as building automation.Thus, automation components configured in compliance with ZigBeestandards or protocols may require limited amounts of power allowingindividual wireless devices, to operate for extended periods of time ona finite battery charge.

The wired or wireless devices such as the IEEE 802.15.4/ZigBee-compliantautomation components may include, for example, an RS-232 connectionwith an RJ11 or other type of connector, an RJ45 Ethernet compatibleport, and/or a universal serial bus (USB) connection. These wired,wireless devices or automation components may, in turn, be configured toinclude or interface with a separate wireless transceiver or othercommunications peripheral thereby allowing the wired device tocommunicate with the building automation system via the above-describedwireless protocols or standards. Alternatively, the separate wirelesstransceiver may be coupled to a wireless device such as a IEEE802.15.4/ZigBee-compliant automation component to allow forcommunications via a second communications protocol such as, forexample, 802.11x protocols (802.11a, 802.11b . . . 802.11n, etc.) or anyother communication protocol. These exemplary wired, wireless devicesmay further include a man-machine interface (MMI) such as a web-basedinterface screen that provide access to configurable properties of thedevice and allow the user to establish or troubleshoot communicationsbetween other devices and elements of the BAS.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary building automation system or controlsystem 100 that may incorporate the methods, systems and teachingprovided herein. The control system 100 includes a first network 102such as an automation level network (ALN) or management level network(MLN) in communication with one or more controllers such as a pluralityof terminals 104 and a modular equipment controller (MEC) 106. Themodular equipment controller or controller 106 is a programmable devicewhich may couple the first network 102 to a second network 108 such as afield level network (FLN). The first network 102 may be wired orwirelessly coupled or in communication with the second network 108. Thesecond network 108, in this exemplary embodiment, may include a firstwired network portion 122 and a second wired network portion 124 thatconnect to building automation components 110 (individually identifiedas automation components 110 a to 110 f). The second wired networkportion 124 may be coupled to wireless building automation components112 via the automation component 126. For example, the buildingautomation components 112 may include wireless devices individuallyidentified as automation components 112 a to 112 f. In one embodiment,the automation component 112 f may be a wired device that may or may notinclude wireless functionality and connects to the automation component112 e. In this configuration, the automation component 112 f may utilizeor share the wireless functionality provided by the automation component112 e to define an interconnected wireless node 114. The automationcomponents 112 a to 112 f may, in turn, communicate or connect to thefirst network 102 via, for example, the controller 106 and/or anautomation component 126. The automation component 126 may be a fieldpanel, FPX or another full function device in communication with thesecond wired network portion 124 which, in turn, may be in communicationwith the first network 102.

The control system 100 may further include automation components 116which may be individually identified by the reference numerals 116 a to116 i. The automation components 116 a to 116 i may be configured orarranged to establish one or more networks or subnets 118 a and 118 b.The automation components 116 a to 116 i such as, for example, full orreduced function devices and/or a configurable terminal equipmentcontroller (TEC), cooperate to wirelessly communicate informationbetween the first network 102, the control system 100 and other deviceswithin the mesh networks or subnets 118 a and 118 b. For example, theautomation component 116 a may communicate with other automationcomponents 116 b to 116 f within the mesh network 118 a by sending amessage addressed to the network identifier, alias and/or media accesscontrol (MAC) address assigned to each of the interconnected automationcomponents 116 a to 116 f and/or to a field panel 120. In oneconfiguration, the individual automation components 116 a to 116 fwithin the subnet 118 a may communicate directly with the field panel120 or, alternatively, the individual automation components 116 a to 116f may be configured in a hierarchal manner such that only one of thecomponents for example, automation component 116 c, communicates withthe field panel 120. The automation components 116 g to 116 i of themesh network 118 b may, in turn, communicate with the individualautomation components 116 a to 116 f of the mesh network 118 a or thefield panel 120.

The automation components 112 e and 112 f defining the wireless node 114may wirelessly communicate with the second network 108, and theautomation components 116 g to 116 i of the mesh network 118 b tofacilitate communications between different elements, section andnetworks within the control system 100. Wireless communication betweenindividual the automation components 112, 116 and/or the subnets 118 a,118 b may be conducted in a direct or point-to-point manner, or in anindirect or routed manner through the nodes or devices comprising thenodes or networks 102, 108, 114 and 118. In an alternate embodiment, thefirst wired network portion 122 is not provided, and further wirelessconnections may be utilized.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary detailed view of one automationcomponent 116 a to 116 i. In particular, FIG. 2 illustrates theautomation component 116 a. The automation component 116 a may be a fullfunction device or a reduced function device. While the automationcomponent 116 a is illustrated and discussed herein, the configuration,layout and componentry may be utilized in connection with any of theautomation components deployed within the control system 100 shown anddiscussed in connection with FIG. 1. The automation component 116 a inthis exemplary embodiment may include a processor 202 such as an INTEL®PENTIUM, an AMD® ATHLON™ or other 8, 12, 16, 24, 32 or 64 bit classes ofprocessors in communication with a memory 204 or storage medium. Thememory 204 or storage medium may contain random access memory (RAM) 206,flashable or non-flashable read only memory (ROM) 208 and/or a hard diskdrive (not shown), or any other known or contemplated storage device ormechanism. The automation component may further include a communicationcomponent 210. The communication component 210 may include, for example,the ports, hardware and software necessary to implement wiredcommunications with the control system 100. The communication component210 may alternatively, or in addition to, contain a wireless transmitter212 and a receiver 214 (or an integrated transceiver) communicativelycoupled to an antenna 216 or other broadcast hardware.

The sub-components 202, 204 and 210 of the exemplary automationcomponent 116 a may be coupled and configured to share information witheach other via a communications bus 218. In this way, computer readableinstructions or code such as software or firmware may be stored on thememory 204. The processor 202 may read and execute the computer readableinstructions or code via the communications bus 218. The resultingcommands, requests and queries may be provided to the communicationcomponent 210 for transmission via the transmitter 212 and the antenna216 to other automation components 110, 112 and 116 operating within thefirst and second networks 102 and 108. Sub-components 202 to 218 may bediscrete components or may be integrated into one (1) or more integratedcircuits, multi-chip modules, and or hybrids.

The exemplary automation component 116 a may be, for example, a WRTSdeployed or emplaced within the structure. In operation, the WRTS maymonitor or detect the temperature within a region or area of thestructure. A temperature signal or indication representative of thedetected temperature may further be generated by the WRTS. In anotherembodiment, the automation component 116 a may be, for example, anactuator coupled to a sensor or other automation component. Inoperation, the actuator may receive a signal or indication from anotherautomation component 116 b to 116 i and adjust the position of amechanical component in accordance with the received signal. The signalor indication may be stored or saved within the memory 204 for laterprocessing or communication to another component within the controlsystem 100.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary physical configuration 300 of automationcomponents 116 a to 116 i that may be implemented in the control system100. For example, the configuration 300 may be a wireless FLN thatinclude the first and second subnets 118 a, 118 b. The exemplaryconfiguration 300 illustrates a “noisy cocktail party” scenario whereeach of the communication components 210 within the automationcomponents 116 a to 116 i is broadcasting at the same, fixed level suchas, for example, the maximum power level, a factory default power level,etc. Each of the automation components 116 a to 116 i and the associatedcommunication component 210 may define a broadcast range or zone 300 ato 300 i Each broadcast range 300 a to 300 i may include one or moresensors, actuators, other automation components, etc. which allcooperate to define a node of interconnected, communicating elements.

The noisy cocktail party scenario depicted in FIG. 3 represents asituation where the automation components 116 a to 116 i and theoverlapping broadcast ranges 300 a to 300 i may disrupt or decrease thecommunication reliability within the FLN. In particular, because each ofthe automation components 116 a to 116 i and the overlapping broadcastranges 300 a to 300 i communicate at the same power level and on thesame communication channel, the communications therebetween areunreliable.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the physical configuration 300wherein the power levels associated with one or more of the broadcastranges 300 a to 300 i corresponding to one or more of the automationcomponents 116 a to 116 i has been adjusted to optimize communicationstherebetween. The depicted configuration 300 allows for increasedthroughput between the components, subnets, nodes, etc., by adjustingthe individual communication or radio transmit power levels to optimizeone or more of the broadcast ranges 300 a to 300 i while reducingcommunications interference and increasing reliability.

FIG. 5 illustrates an overview of an optimization routine 500 that maybe utilized to optimize and configure the communication between theautomation components 116 a to 116 i deployed in the physicalconfiguration 300. The automation components 116 a to 116 i or nodesdeployed in physical configuration 300 may employ a mesh network forwireless communication, i.e., the mesh network will automatically routea message from a source node to a destination node through one or moreintervening nodes, that act as routing and repeater devices. Theoptimization routine 500 may adjust the individual radio transmit powerlevels of the automation components 116 a to 116 i to minimizeinterference and create the “happy cocktail party” scenario shown inFIG. 4.

At block 502, reference automation component(s) and/or node(s) may beidentified. Identification may be a manually process initiated by auser, or may be an automatic process initiated and controlled by thecontrol system 100. A single automation component or node within the FLNmay be identified, multiple automation components or node within asingle FLN may be identified and/or multiple automation components ornodes within multiple FLNs may be identified. A reference automationcomponent, for example, the automation component 116 a, may be selectedas one of the initial or starting points for optimizing thecommunications within the FLN represented by the physical configuration300.

At block 504, the communication or radio transmit power level of thewireless communication component 210 within the reference automationcomponent identified or selected in block 502 may be collect, noted andstored in the memory 204.

At block 506, data or values associated with one or more predefined orpreselected communication variables or optimization parameters may bedetected and stored within the memory 204. The disclosed optimizationparameters and/or routines provide for adjusting and changing anautomation component or node's radio transmit power to a lower levelthat avoids over-communication with one or more other automationcomponents or nodes, and/or to a higher level that avoids communicationerrors due to interference. This is analogous to voice communication,where it is best to talk in a conversational tone, and not to shout orwhisper unnecessarily. The optimization parameters may include;

-   -   Number of neighboring automation components within one (1)        hop—where possible optimizations include adjusting the        automation component or node's radio transmit power so there are        at least three (3) neighbors within one (1) hop to ensure good        wireless communication, but no more than five (5) neighbors to        avoid the “noisy cocktail party” over-communication case;    -   Number of automation components stored within routing        tables—where possible optimizations include adjusting the        automation component or node's radio transmit power so that        there are at least three (3) “next-hop” nodes in the routing        table, i.e., there are at least three (3) paths from the source        node to any destination node;    -   Number of hops for other automation components to reach the        reference automation component or node—where possible        optimizations include adjusting the node's radio transmit power        level so that the number of hops to reach the reference        automation component or node is in the range of one (1) to        five (5) hops.;    -   Number of hops to reach the controller—where possible        optimizations include adjusting the automation component or        node's radio transmit power level so that the number of hops to        reach the controller is in the range of one (1) to five (5)        hops;    -   Link Quality Index (LQI)—LQI is a measurement of the quality of        the wireless communication link between two nodes, including        both RSSI values at both nodes, and message completion        percentage at both nodes;    -   Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI): RSSI is a        measurement of the power level received at the wireless        communication component—where possible optimizations include        adjusting the automation component or node's radio transmit        power level so that the RSSI value is within a specified range,        e.g., not too low for reliable wireless communication, and not        too high to avoid over-communication with too many other        wireless nodes;    -   Average round trip time between the reference automation        component and another automation component or element within the        node—where possible optimizations include adjusting the        automation component or node's radio transmit power level so        that the RSSI value is within a specified range —not too low for        reliable wireless communication, and not too high to avoid        over-communication with too many other wireless nodes;    -   Number of retries to complete a message or communication between        the reference automation component and another automation        component—where possible optimizations include adjusting the        node's radio transmit power level so that the number of retries        is below a specified value—not too many retries because of a        radio power level that is too low, so external RF interference        can cause additional retries during wireless communication;    -   Percentage of messages or communication completed in a        communication session—where possible optimizations include        adjusting the node's radio transmit power level so that the        completion percentage is above a specified value—a radio power        level that is too low will allow external RF interference to        disrupt wireless communication;    -   Type of automation component—where possible optimizations        include adjusting or compensating for whether the components are        full function devices (FFD), reduced function devices (RFD);        alternation current (AC) or line powered devices; and/or battery        powered devices;    -   Number of automation components parents for end devices—where        possible optimizations include adjusting the automation        component or node's radio transmit power level so that the        completion percentage is above a specified value—a radio power        level that is too low will allow external RF interference to        disrupt wireless communication.

At block 508, the data or values associated with the communicationvariables or optimization parameters may be analyzed. For example, twoor more of the optimization parameters and/or communication variablesmay be identified for optimization and the configuration. The identifiedparameters may represent factors which have been determined to berelevant to the performance of the reference automation component 116 a.

At block 510, the power level of the wireless communication component210 associated with the automation component 116 a can be adjusted toreflect the analyzed values determined in block 508. In this way,communications between the automation component 116 a and the sensors,actuators and other wireless devices operating within the node can beoptimized to increase data throughput, reliability, and/or performance.Stated another way, the optimization of the automation components ornodes adjusts the communication or radio transmit power level of eachautomation component or node in the wireless mesh network so that it isnot too high (over communication) or too low (weak communication).

FIG. 6 illustrates a detailed overview of another optimization routine600 that may be utilized to optimize and configure the communicationbetween the automation components 116 a to 116 i deployed in thephysical configuration 300.

At block 602, one or more of the automation components 116 a to 116 imay be activated. The automation components 116 a to 116 i may beactivated individually, at random locations, in a predefined pattern orin any physical or temporal interval. The automation components 116 maybe activated at a default or first power level (maximum power is anoften utilized default). The field panel 120 or any other full functiondevice may communicate or provide a command to the activated automationcomponents 116 to collect values for one or more of the communicationvariables and/or optimization parameters (discussed above).

At block 604, the power levels of the activated automation components116 may be lowered to a second power level. The field panel 120 or anyother full function device may again communicate or provide a command tothe activated automation components 116 to collect values for one ormore of the optimization parameters.

At block 606, the collected values at the default or first power levelmay be compared to the collected values at the second power level foreach of the activated automation components 116. If the differencebetween the compared values satisfies a defined threshold level whichmay be, for example, a specified range for optimized wireless meshnetwork communication, for one of the automation components 116, thenthe automation component 116 flagged or noted to have the power levellowered to a second power level when next activated. If the differencebetween the compared values does not satisfy a defined threshold levelfor one of the automation components 116, then the automation component116 flagged or noted to have the power level increased to a third powerlevel when next activated and note that the power level cannot belowered further. Generally, optimization adjusts and/or lowers the radiotransmit power level of all of the wireless automation components ornodes in order to ensure that the user selected parameter(s) (such asnumber of 1-hop neighbors, RSSI, etc.) are within their optimizedranges. It is similar to the case of people at a cocktail partyadjusting their voice levels so that conversations are heard only withinthe little group of people conversing at the party, and not by everyoneat the party.

At block 608, one or more of the automation components 116 a to 116 imay be activated, if the automation component is flagged or noted for alowered power level, the power level of the communication component 210may be lowered by a predetermined or calculated value or amount. Thefield panel 120 or any other full function device may again communicateor provide a command to the activated automation components 116 tocollect values for one or more of the optimization parameters.

At block 610, one or more of the automation components 116 a to 116 imay be activated, if the automation component is flagged or noted for anincreased power level, the power level of the communication component210 may be raised by a predetermined or calculated value or amount. Thefield panel 120 or any other full function device may again communicateor provide a command to the activated automation components 116 tocollect values for one or more of the optimization parameters.

At block 612, if the automation component has been flagged or noted tomaintain a power level, the power level of the communication component210 may maintained at the current level while values are collected forone or more of the optimization parameters.

Regardless of the change in power level implemented at any one of theautomation components 116 a to 116 i, the collected values of the one ormore optimization parameters and/or communication variables may becompared at block 606 to previously collected values for the one or moreof the optimization parameters.

FIG. 7 illustrates a detailed overview of another optimization routine700 that may be utilized to optimize and configure the communicationbetween the automation components 116 a to 116 i deployed in thephysical configuration 300.

At block 702, one or more of the automation components 116 a to 116 imay be activated. The automation components 116 a to 116 i may beactivated individually, at random locations, in a predefined pattern orin any physical or temporal interval. The automation components 116 maybe activated at a default or first power level (maximum power is anoften utilized default). The field panel 120 or any other full functiondevice may communicate or provide a command to the activated automationcomponents 116 to collect values for one or more of the optimizationparameters.

At block 704, common routing information for bound automation components116, sensors, actuators and other devices within a node or group may beidentified. The common routing information may be identifying theautomation components 116 or devices within the FLN that handle, director otherwise control the routing or communications between the otherautomation components 116 or nodes.

At block 706, the power optimization routine 600 may be implemented onthe identified automation components 116.

FIG. 8 illustrates a detailed overview of another optimization routine800 that may be utilized to optimize and configure the communicationbetween the automation components 116 a to 116 i deployed in thephysical configuration 300.

At block 802, one or more of the automation components 116 a to 116 imay be activated. The automation components 116 a to 116 i may beactivated individually, at random locations, in a predefined pattern orin any physical or temporal interval. The automation components 116 maybe activated at a default or first power level (maximum power is anoften utilized default). The field panel 120 or any other full functiondevice may communicate or provide a command to the activated automationcomponents 116 to collect values for one or more of the optimizationparameters.

At block 804, the power levels of the activated automation components116 may be lowered. The field panel 120 or any other full functiondevice may again communicate or provide a command to the activatedautomation components 116 to collect values for one or more of theoptimization parameters. This process may be repeated until the powerlevel of each of the automation components 116 a to 116 i within the FLNhas been decreased and the values for one or more of the optimizationparameters have been collected.

At block 806, the power levels of the each of the activated automationcomponents 116 may be returned to the default power level.

At block 808, the power levels of the activated automation components116 may be raised. The field panel 120 or any other full function devicemay again communicate or provide a command to the activated automationcomponents 116 to collect values for one or more of the communicationvariables and/or optimization parameters. This process may be repeateduntil the power level of each of the automation components 116 a to 116i within the FLN has been increased and the values for one or more ofthe optimization parameters have been collected.

At block 810, the collected values for one or more of the optimizationparameters may be analyzed and optimized to determine a power level foreach of the automation components 116 a to 116 i.

At block 812, the power level for each of the automation components 116a to 116 i may be altered to the power level determined in the analysisand optimization process.

In one exemplary embodiment, the optimization routines and processesdiscussed herein may be implemented by the individual automationcomponents 110, 112, and 116. Alternatively, in another exemplaryembodiment, the optimization routines and processes may be executedremotely by, for example, one of the terminals 104, the controller 106or any other automation component in communication with the controlsystem 100. For example, a personal digital assistant (PDA), laptop orother portable computing device may be configured to execute theoptimization routines and processes. The PDA and/or laptop may beconnected wired or wirelessly connected to the automation component 110,112 and/or 116 to be optimized.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to thepresently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. For example, the elements of theseconfigurations could be arranged and interchanged in any known mannerdepending upon the system requirements, performance requirements, andother desired capabilities. Well understood changes and modificationscan be made based on the teachings and disclosure provided by thepresent invention and without diminishing from the intended advantagesdisclosed herein. It is therefore intended that such changes andmodifications be covered by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An automation component configured for optimizedwireless communication within a building automation system, theautomation component comprising: a wireless communications component; aprocessor in communication with the wireless communications component; amemory in communication with the processor, the memory configured tostore computer readable instructions which are executable by theprocessor; wherein the computer readable instructions are programmed to:process optimization parameter data received via the wirelesscommunications component, wherein the optimization parameter dataincludes a proximity to other wireless communication components, anumber of wireless communication components stored in a routing table incommunication with the memory, a link quality index between the wirelesscommunications component and one of the other wireless communicationscomponents, the link quality index comprising a received signal strengthindication (RSSI) and a communication completion rate, or anycombination thereof; optimize a communication power level associatedwith the wireless communication component based on the receivedoptimization parameter data; and adjust the communication power levelassociated with the wireless communication component based on theoptimized communication power level.
 2. The automation component ofclaim 1, wherein the optimization parameter data further includes acommunications response time, an average round trip communications time,a number of communication retries, a type of wireless components, anumber of communication retries to complete a communication between thewireless communications component and the one other wirelesscommunications component, a type of wireless component, or anycombination thereof.
 3. The automation component of claim 1, wherein thewireless communication component is a transceiver.
 4. The automationcomponent of claim 1, wherein the optimization parameter data furtherincludes a number of hops for a second automation component to reach thepresent automation component, a number of hops to a controller operablewithin the building automation system, a number of child automationcomponents, or any combination thereof.
 5. The automation component ofclaim 1, wherein the wireless communication component is configured tocommunicate the optimized communication power level associated with thewireless communication component to a second wireless communicationcomponent.
 6. The automation component of claim 6, wherein the wirelesscommunication component is configured to communicate a second optimizedcommunication power level associated with a second wirelesscommunication component and the optimization parameter data to thesecond wireless communication component.
 7. The automation component ofclaim 1, wherein memory is configured to store a plurality of values forthe optimization parameter data, and wherein the processor is configuredto compare the plurality of values as a function of time.
 8. A buildingautomation system configured for optimized wireless communication, thebuilding automation system comprising: a first automation componenthaving a first wireless communication component, the first automationcomponent configured to: process at least one optimization parameter,wherein the at least one optimization parameter includes a proximity toother wireless communication components, a number of wirelesscommunication components stored in a routing table in communication withthe memory, a link quality index between the wireless communicationscomponent and one of the other wireless communications components, thelink quality index comprising a received signal strength indication(RSSI) and a communication completion rate, or any combination thereof;optimize a communication power level, wherein the optimizedcommunication power level is a function of the at least one optimizationparameter; and a second automation component having a second wirelesscommunication component, the second wireless communication component incommunication with the first wireless communication, wherein the secondautomation component is configured to: adjust the communication powerlevel associated with the second wireless communication component basedon the optimized communication power level.
 9. The building automationsystem of claim 8, wherein the at least one optimization parameterfurther includes a communications response time, an average round tripcommunications time, a number of communication retries, a type ofwireless components, a number of communication retries to complete acommunication between the wireless communications component and the oneother wireless communications component, a type of wireless component,or any combination thereof.
 10. The automation component of claim 8,wherein the first and second wireless communication components aretransceivers.
 11. The automation component of claim 8, wherein the atleast one optimization parameter further includes number of hops for asecond automation component to reach the present automation component,number of hops to a controller operable within the building automationsystem, number of child automation components, or any combinationthereof.
 12. The automation component of claim 8, wherein the firstwireless communication component is configured to communicate a secondoptimized communication power level associated with the second wirelesscommunication component and the at least one communication variable tothe second wireless communication component.
 13. The automationcomponent of claim 8, further comprising: a memory is configured tostore a plurality of values for the at least one optimization parameter;and wherein a processor is configured to compare the plurality of valuesfor the at least one optimization parameter as a function of time.
 14. Amethod for optimizing a wireless communication within a buildingautomation system, the method comprising: storing a value of at leastone optimization parameter in a memory, wherein the memory and the atleast one optimization parameter are in communication with a processor;processing the stored value of the at least one optimization parameter,wherein the at least one optimization parameter relates to a proximityto other wireless communication components, a number of wirelesscommunication components stored in a routing table in communication withthe memory, a link quality index between the wireless communicationscomponent and one of the other wireless communications components, thelink quality index comprising a received signal strength indication(RSSI) and a communication completion rate, or any combination thereof;optimizing a communication power level associated with the wirelesscommunication component, wherein the optimized communication power levelis a function of the at least one optimization parameter; and adjustingthe communication power level associated with the wireless communicationcomponent based on the optimized communication power level.
 15. Themethod of claim 14, wherein the at least one optimization parameterfurther relates to a communications response time, an average round tripcommunications time, a number of communication retries, a type ofwireless components, a number of communication retries to complete acommunication between the wireless communications component and the oneother wireless communications component, a type of wireless component,or any combination thereof.
 16. The method of claim 14, furthercomprising detecting a value of the communication completion rate. 17.The method of claim 14, wherein processing at least one optimizationparameter received via a wireless communications component includesreceiving the at least one optimization parameter via a transceiver. 18.The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one optimization parameteris further related to number of hops for a second automation componentto reach the present automation component, number of hops to acontroller operable within the building automation system, number ofchild automation components, or any combination thereof.
 19. The methodof claim 14, further comprising: communicating the optimizedcommunication power level associated with the wireless communicationcomponent to a second wireless communication component.
 20. The methodof claim 14, wherein storing the value of the at least one optimizationparameter includes storing a plurality of values for the at least oneoptimization parameter and wherein the processor is configured tocompare the plurality of values for the at least one optimizationparameter as a function of time.